Taylor Sheridan Saved Yellowstone Season 3 When Scripts Were Bad

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Creator along with others, Taylor Sheridan, disclosed that he penned the entirety of season 3 after earlier drafts were turned down. The third chapter of the popular neo-Western series, Yellowstone, is exceptionally intense – quite literally so, as John and the Dutton clan face one of their most formidable foes yet, Market Equities, in a bid to safeguard their ranch. Throughout this season, they grapple with these colossal adversaries, making it one of the most gripping episodes in the show’s history. The season 3 finale, “The World Is Purple,” is often praised as one of the finest Yellowstone episodes ever made.

In 2020, it seemed like a full-blown actors’ uprising was brewing on Sheridan’s most popular TV show, as the writing produced by the team replacing him for Yellowstone fell short in the eyes of the show’s main cast. Sheridan recently discussed this predicament with his longtime partner Peter Berg in an interview published by Gold Derby. To save Yellowstone from impending doom, Sheridan had to put in extra effort on scripts for season 3 while also juggling his movie project. In conversation with Peter Berg, he shared the following account of the situation:

Originally, they attempted to secure a room for Season 3, but the scripts were so poor that while I was directing a film in New Mexico with Angelina Jolie, they contacted me saying, “You need to lend us a hand. The actors refuse to work; there’s a rebellion happening.” Consequently, every Saturday, I penned an episode for Yellowstone.

What Taylor Sheridan’s Return Meant For Yellowstone’s Season 3

Sheridan Saved The Show

When Peter Berg inquired about Sheridan’s extensive screenwriting work on Yellowstone and other TV shows and films, Sheridan disclosed that he hadn’t initially planned to write as much of the series as he did. Instead, he felt compelled to intervene because the scripts submitted by writers without his input fell short of the desired quality.

As I found myself immersed in the intense filming of my third directorial feature, the gripping action movie “Those Who Wish Me Dead” starring Angelina Jolie, my schedule was brimming with work. Yet, behind the scenes of this high-octane project, the producers of my beloved Western TV series “Yellowstone” were eagerly clamoring for my return. In truth, those demanding days were undeniably taxing, yet it became abundantly clear that everyone on set – especially our “mutinying” actors who had grown accustomed to my direction – yearned for my presence.

In the third season of this captivating series, the exceptional performances of our cast truly shone. From Jamie’s emotional journey uncovering his adoption history to Monica’s riveting story arc where she fearlessly defended her Indigenous community, each actor delivered an unforgettable performance that left audiences in awe and wanting more.

Our Take On Taylor Sheridan Stepping In To Write Yellowstone Season 3

The Show Was Ultimately His Baby, & He Had The Work Ethic To Write A Whole Season

Known for his incredible work dedication, Taylor Sheridan often prefers a hands-on role in any task he undertakes, be it as a show developer, writer, director, or producer. This isn’t surprising since he leapt at the chance to assume writing responsibilities when Yellowstone season 3 faced challenges during pre-production. However, not everyone on the show’s cast agreed with Taylor Sheridan’s return to the writers’ room, and eventually, lead actor Kevin Costner parted ways with Yellowstone following creative disagreements with Sheridan himself.

It’s evident that Sheridan’s approach may not suit everyone, but there’s no denying that his meticulous oversight of Yellowstone‘s production was crucial in making the series the exceptional neo-Western masterpiece it became. Given that he was the show’s driving force, it makes perfect sense that he would excel at scriptwriting for it.

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2025-06-06 23:49